Urinary incontinence device

ABSTRACT

A urinary incontinence device is provided which includes a body, the body having a shell, and the shell forming a cavity adapted to hold genitalia. An absorbent, suitable for absorbing urine, is at least partially disposed within the cavity. A liquid-permeable liner is attached to the body in a spaced-apart relation to the absorbent to hammock the genitalia while maintaining a void space between the liner and the absorbent.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S.application Ser. No. 12/570,188, filed Sep. 30, 2009, currently pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to absorbent devices, particularly to devicesfor absorbing urine discharge resulting from male urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence may be caused by a variety of factors. It canoccur, in varying degrees, in infants not yet toilet trained, youngchildren suffering from nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting), men who haveundergone a prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) or otherurinary tract surgeries, such as a cystectomy (surgical removal of thebladder), in diabetics with nerve damage, and in those who have had astroke or spinal cord injury or who suffer from Parkinson's disease ormultiple sclerosis. Aging is also a leading cause of incontinence. Othercauses include loss of control from such actions as coughing, sneezing,and lifting, and an abnormal and overwhelming urge to urinate caused,for example, by various bladder conditions such as exposure to radiationtherapy. Finally, those who are handicapped or otherwise medicallycompromised may have problems with incontinence. Urinary incontinencecan be more than an inconvenience and an embarrassment, it can causediscomfort from being in wet or damp clothing as well as genital itchingor a rash or infection caused by contact with discharged urine.

Conventional absorbent devices to help manage urinary incontinenceinclude those which are positioned beneath undergarments and next to thegenitals. Discharged urine is retained within an absorbent layer while amoisture barrier layer is interposed between the retained urine and theundergarments and other clothing. In this way, discharged urine isretained and not allowed to leak onto, or otherwise soil, clothing. Inaddition, the anxiety and potential embarrassment of being seen withsoiled clothing is avoided. The used absorbent device is then laterdisposed of at an appropriate time. Such devices include diapers, whichenclose the genitals, perineum, and buttocks, and pads, which encloseonly the genital region.

While such absorbent devices may be effective in absorbing urine andpreventing soiled clothing, a bulky or protruding appearance may callattention to the problem, the genitals may be allowed to come intocontact with discharged urine and may become too warm, with resultantdiscomfort and the chance of rash or infection, and, the device maycause further discomfort by not remaining in place while allowing thewearer to move about freely and engage in normal daily activities.

Thus, there is a need for a urinary incontinence device that is not onlyeffective, but that fits the genital anatomy comfortably, particularlythe male genital anatomy, allows sufficient freedom of movement topermit normal daily activities, may be worn discretely, and that helpsthe genitals from becoming too warm and helps prevent the genitals fromcoming into contact with discharged urine.

SUMMARY

Devices of the present invention help prevent soiling of clothing withdischarged urine, provide comfort to the genitalia particularly the malegenitalia, allow sufficient freedom of movement to permit normal dailyactivities, and help separate the genitalia from discharged urine, thusproviding a more natural feel. In one embodiment, a male urinaryincontinence device includes a body which has a shell which forms acavity adapted to hold male genitalia. Disposed within the cavity is anabsorbent suitable for absorbing and storing discharged urine. Amoisture barrier adjacent the body and placed between the absorbent andthe clothing of the wearer to help prevent soiling of the clothing. Aliquid-permeable liner is attached to the body so as to provide a gapbetween the liner and the absorbent. This hammock-like effect creates anair space and holds the male genitalia away from the discharged urinestored in the absorbent. When necessary, the device is removed anddiscarded.

In one embodiment, the shell is formed from a flexible, semi-rigidshell. The body may further include a flexible, non-rigid crestextending from the shell at the top of the device and may furtherinclude a flexible, non-rigid tongue extending from the shell at thebottom of the device. In a further embodiment, the crest extends betweenabout 15 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the body. In afurther embodiment, the crest extends between about 2-5 cm from theshell. In a further embodiment, the tongue extends between about 25percent and about 30 percent of the length of the body. In a furtherembodiment, the tongue extends from the shell about 4 cm. In a furtherembodiment, the overall length of the body is between about 16 cm andabout 20 cm. In a further embodiment, the tongue forms an angle ofbetween about 30 degrees and about 50 degrees.

In one embodiment, the device forms a length external angle of betweenabout 70 degrees and about 100 degrees. In a further embodiment, thedevice forms a width internal angle of between about 85 degrees andabout 105 degrees.

Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the relevant art upon considerationof the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute apart of, this specification, illustrate several embodiments consistentwith the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. For purposes of illustration, drawingsmay not be to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a male urinary incontinence deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane of theline 2-2 in FIG. 1 and illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane of theline 3-3 in FIG. 1 and illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a view of an interior side of a male urinary incontinencedevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the presentinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and including a representation ofthe male anatomy while the device is in use.

FIG. 6 is a view of an interior side of a male urinary incontinencedevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the plane of theline 7-7 in FIG. 6 and illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a top elevation view of a male urinary incontinence deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a male incontinence device 10includes a body 11 and a first liquid-permeable liner 24. The device 10has a top 13 which, when worn, points generally toward the navel of thewearer, and a bottom 15 which, when worn, points generally toward theperineum of the wearer. The device 10 further has an external side 17which, when worn, faces away from the wearer, and an interior side 19which, when worn, faces the wearer and, particularly, the genitalia 38of the wearer. See, FIG. 5.

The body 11 forms a cavity 36 (see, also, FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7) adaptedto hold human male genitalia 38 and includes a shell 14 and may furtherinclude a crest 26 at the top 13 and may further include a tongue 28 atthe bottom 15. Note that the neither the crest 26 nor the tongue 28 areshown in FIGS. 5 and 7. Especially when the shell 14 is comprised offlexible, semi-rigid material as described below, the device 10 iseasily moved to the side while being worn to facilitate normal maleurination. The device 10 also includes at least one moisture barrier 12,16 adapted to prevent moisture, and specifically urine, from wetting theclothes of the wearer.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, but also in FIG. 5, the firstliquid-permeable liner 24 cooperates with the body 11, and particularlythe shell 14 to create a gap D_(G) and a chamber 32. This effect isaided by securing the first liquid-permeable liner 24, having an areasufficient to prevent its total collapse into the body 11. Thus, thefirst liquid-permeable liner 24 is sufficiently suspended to create thegap D_(G) and the chamber 32 and acts to hold the male genitalia 38separated from discharged urine stored in one or more absorbent 18, 20.In this configuration, the first liquid-permeable liner 24 also providesneeded support to the male genitalia 38. The gap D_(G) and the chamber32 also create an opportunity for air to circulate about the genitals 38for a further drying effect. While the first liquid-permeable liner 24may be secured about the periphery 34 of the body 11, the firstliquid-permeable liner 24 may also be secured inboard of the periphery34.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 10 forms a length external angle αand, as shown in FIG. 8, a width internal angle θ. The length externalangle α is that angle formed by the intersection of extending a tangentfrom the top 13 of the device 10 and from the bottom 15 of the device10. The width internal angle θ is that angle formed between an apex 40of the external side 17 of the device 10 and edges 42 at the widestpoint W_(D) of the device 10.

The length external angle α cooperates with the width external angle θto accommodate human male genitalia 38 (FIG. 5) and to minimize thecharacteristic visible “bulge” indicative of men wearing an incontinencedevice. The length external angle α is between about 70 deg. and about100 deg. The width internal angle θ is between about 85 deg. and about105 deg. Proportionally, the width internal angle θ is between about 85percent and 150 percent of the length external angle α.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the crest 26 extends from the shell 14 andgenerally comprises soft, flexible material. The crest 26 forms acomfortable seal at the abdomen of the wearer and can provide additionalabsorbent protection. Also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tongue 28 extendsfrom the shell 14 and also generally comprises soft, flexible material.The tongue 28 forms a comfortable seal beneath the scrotum and in theperineum. Additionally, the tongue 28 may provide further absorbentprotection. The tongue 28 forms an angle β of between about 30 deg. and50 deg. Both the crest 26 and the tongue 28 provide a comfortabletransition from the device 10 to the human body.

In an embodiment, the periphery 34 of the device 10 comprises soft,flexible material for comfort and to help seal the device 10 against thebody of the wearer.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4 and in Table 1, below, the device 10 has anoverall length L_(D), a width at the widest part W_(D), a depth at theapex 40 of D_(A), a tongue length L_(T), and a crest length L_(C).Proportionally, the width W_(D) is between about 50 percent and about 55percent of the overall length L_(D). As will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the relevant art, the indicated sizes are exemplary only, andsmaller, larger, and other intermediate sizes are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Table 1, below, lists representative dimensions for four different sizeddevices 10. All dimensions are in centimeters (cm).

TABLE 1 Size L_(D) W_(D) D_(A) L_(T) L_(C) Small (cm) 16.5 9 5 5 3.5Medium (cm) 17.5 9.5 5.5 5 3.5 Large (cm) 19 9.5 6.0 5 3.5 Extra-Large(cm) 19.5 10 6.0 5 3.5

Thus, as Table 1 above shows, the width at the widest point W_(D) isbetween about 9 cm and 10 cm, the ratio of the width W_(D) to overalllength L_(D) (W_(D)/L_(D)) is between about 45 percent and about 65percent, the depth of the device at the apex 40 D_(A) is between about 5cm and about 6 cm, and the ratio of the depth of the device at the apex40 D_(A) to a long axis L_(D) is between about 25 percent and about 40percent.

In one embodiment, the shell 14 is flexible and semi-rigid and may bemolded from a sheet or batt of fibers by placing the fiber sheet of battbetween dies and, with the application of heat and pressure, molded intothe desired shape. The shell 14 may also be resilient and attempt toreturn to its original shape when distorting forces are removed.Conventional examples include materials used to make particle masks somanufactured using natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, andsynthetic materials, such as nylon, acrylonitrile, polyethylene,polyester, or polypropylene fibers. These fibers are often mixed withchemical resins, such as polyolefinic resins The nominal thickness ofthe shell 14 is about 2 mm. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe relevant art, various foams and other plastics may also be employedin making the shell 14. The shell 14 is flexible with the pressures dueto normal activities while being worn. At the same time, the shell 14 isresistant to flattening out against the genitalia 38. The latter may beaided in part, for example, by molding into the shell 14, elongatedridges to improve shape retention as may be seen in conventional dustmasks. An exemplary shell 14 that has been used successfully uses thematerial of the 8000 series N95 Particle Mask from 3M, St. Paul, Minn.Other, non-limiting, examples include those found in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,384,577 to Huber et al. and 3,220,409 to Liloia et al.

In a further embodiment, the shell 14 comprises rigid material, plastic,for example. In such an embodiment, the shell 14 can provide furtherstrength to help keep the body 11 from collapsing around the genitalia38, in the case of penile, testicular, or scrotal surgery, for example.

The first liquid-permeable liner 24 is in contact with the genitalia 38and serves to allow discharged urine to pass through freely and to keepthe genitalia separated from the discharged urine. Preferably, the firstliquid-permeable liner 24 is compliant, soft to the touch, andnonirritating. In addition, the first liquid-permeable liner 24 isnon-absorbent and preferably formed from rapidly drying material whichwicks away moisture quickly. Typically, the liner 24 is a nettingmaterial, woven or non-woven, comprised of, for example, polyester,nylon, polypropylene, rayon, or cotton. Other materials includeapertured hydrophobic formed film. Exemplary, but non-limiting, formedfilms include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,324,246 to Mullane etal. and 4,342,314 to Radel et al. Other, non-limiting, liner materialsinclude that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,249 to Takai et al.

A first absorbent 18 provides collection and storage of discharged urineand is formed of material adapted to absorb and retain human urine.Successful materials include processed wood pulp and super-absorbentpolymers found in conventional disposable diapers and feminine hygieneproducts, such as polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, ethylenemaleic anhydride copolymer, cross-lined carboxy-methyl-cellulose,polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, andstarch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 4, a second absorbent 20 may be included toprovide additional absorbent capacity. As shown in FIG. 4, the secondabsorbent may be limited to a central portion of the device 10 where themajority of the discharged urine would collect. Accordingly, the secondabsorbent 20 may provide a higher absorbent density so that additionalurine can be effectively absorbed and stored.

Exemplary absorbent materials that have been used successfully includethose of Always® Ultra Thin™ pads (Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio).See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264 to Osborn, III; 5,520,875 toWnuk et al.; and 6,601,705 to Molina et al. For other, non-limiting,absorbent materials, see, also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,075,344 to Johnson;3,926,891 to Gross et al.; and 4,293,609 to Erickson.

In a further embodiment, a second liquid-permeable liner 22 may beprovided adjacent the absorbent 18, 20. The second liquid-permeableliner 22 may comprise any suitable material for enclosing the absorbent18, 20. Exemplary materials include apertured hydrophobic formed filmsdiscussed above as well as woven and non-woven materials.

Turning again to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, in a further embodiment, a firstmoisture barrier 12 is provided on the external side 17 of the device10. A sheet of thin plastic of the type commonly found in conventionalincontinence devices and feminine pads have been used successfully.

In a further embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a second moisturebarrier 16 is provided adjacent to the absorbent 18. As with the firstmoisture barrier 12, the second moisture barrier 16 of the type of thinplastic sheet commonly used in conventional incontinence devices andfeminine pads have been used successfully.

Turning now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a male urinary incontinencedevice 10 is shown which includes a shell 14, a moisture barrier 16, anabsorbent 18, and a second liquid-permeable liner 22. The embodimentshown in FIG. 3 does not include a moisture barrier 12 on the externalside of the device 10 and includes just one absorbent 18. The firstliquid-permeable liner 24 provides support for the genitalia 38 andhelps separate the genitalia 38 from urine stored in the absorbent 18.The shell 14 provides shape for the body 11 and helps to prevent thedevice 10 from collapsing around the genitalia 38. Finally, the moisturebarrier 16, placed between the absorbent 18 and the clothing of thewearer to help protect the clothing from becoming soiled.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an embodiment of a male urinaryincontinence device 10 is shown which includes neither a crest 26 nor atongue 28.

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

In a series of tests, a size small device 10 was used and held in aposition similar to that which it would be in when worn and waterstreamed from a syringe-type delivery apparatus with a slit to mimic theaction of urine being excreted from a male penis. In two tests, theabsorbent from an Always® Regular feminine hygiene pad absorbed 70 mlbefore reaching saturation. In one test, the absorbent from an Always®Overnight feminine hygiene pad absorbed 120 ml before reachingsaturation.

While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendisclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modificationsmay be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention ofscope of the following claims.

1. A urinary incontinence device, comprising: a shell, the shell forminga concavity, the concavity: having an inner surface; and formed to atleast partially contain genitalia, the shell having a periphery; and aliquid-permeable liner, the liner having: a periphery generallycorresponding to the shell periphery; and an area, the liner area beinggenerally smaller than the concavity inner surface, the liner peripheryattached to the shell periphery, the liner cooperating with theconcavity inner surface to at least partially define a chamber.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises hydrophobic material. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the genitalia are male genitalia.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein: the device further comprises an absorbent,the absorbent at least partially disposed within the concavity; and theliner is further sized and attached to cooperate with the shell duringuse to enable the liner to hammock the male genitalia while maintaininga void space between the liner and the absorbent.
 5. A urinaryincontinence device, comprising: a body, the body comprising a shell,the shell forming a concavity, the concavity: having an inner surface;and formed to at least partially contain genitalia; and aliquid-permeable liner, the liner: attached to the body and cooperatingwith the concavity inner surface to at least partially define a chamber;and sized and attached to cooperate with the body during use to enablethe liner to hammock the genitalia while maintaining a void spacebetween the liner and the concavity inner surface.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the liner comprises a hydrophobic material.
 7. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the genitalia are male genitalia.
 8. Thedevice of claim 5, the body further comprising a crest, the crestextending from the shell to form a topmost portion of the body beyondthe shell.
 9. The device of claim 5, the body further comprising atongue, the tongue extending from the shell to form a bottommost portionof the body beyond the shell.
 10. The device of claim 5, wherein: thebody has a periphery; the liner has: a periphery generally correspondingto the body periphery; and an area, the area being smaller than theconcavity inner surface; and the liner periphery is attached to the bodyperiphery.
 11. The device of claim 5, wherein: the device furthercomprises an absorbent, the absorbent at least partially disposed withinthe concavity; and the liner is further sized and attached to cooperatewith the body during use to enable the liner to hammock the genitaliawhile maintaining a void space between the liner and the absorbent. 12.A urinary incontinence device, comprising: a shell, the shell describinga concavity, the concavity: having an inner surface; and formed to atleast partially contain genitalia; and a liquid-permeable liner, theliner: attached to the shell and cooperating with the concavity innersurface to at least partially define a chamber; and sized and attachedto cooperate with the shell during use to enable the liner to supportthe genitalia while maintaining a void space between the liner and theconcavity inner surface.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the linercomprises a hydrophobic material.
 14. The device of claim 12, whereinthe genitalia are male genitalia.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein:the shell has a periphery; the liner has: a periphery generallycorresponding to the shell periphery; and an area, the area beingsmaller than the concavity inner surface; and the liner periphery isattached to the shell periphery.
 16. The device of claim 12, wherein:the device further comprises an absorbent, the absorbent at leastpartially disposed within the concavity; and the liner is further sizedand attached to cooperate with the shell during use to enable the linerto support the genitalia while maintaining a void space between theliner and the absorbent.
 17. A urinary incontinence device, comprising:a shell, the shell describing a concavity, the concavity: having aninner surface; and formed to at least partially contain genitalia; and aliquid-permeable liner, the liner: attached to the shell and cooperatingwith the concavity inner surface to at least partially define a chamber;and sized and attached to cooperate with the shell during use to enablethe liner to at least partially maintain separation between thegenitalia and the shell inner surface.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein the liner comprises a hydrophobic material.
 19. The device ofclaim 17, wherein the genitalia are male genitalia.
 20. The device ofclaim 17, wherein: the shell has a periphery; the liner has: a peripherygenerally corresponding to the shell periphery; and an area, the areabeing smaller than the concavity inner surface; and the liner peripheryis attached to the shell periphery.
 21. The device of claim 17, wherein:the device further comprises an absorbent, the absorbent at leastpartially disposed within the concavity; and the liner is further sizedand attached to cooperate with the shell during use to enable the linerto maintain separation between the genitalia while maintaining a voidspace between the liner and the absorbent.